WOW right now I am so excited for Elder Trayner....I can't believe he is headed to Chile!! What the? Does he already have his visa and stuff?? Oh my goodness. I did not think he would go outside of the US. How exciting. I am very happy for you, Zach!! Those Chileans are gonna love you!!
So another week has come and gone here in the Philippines. This week has been a good but a stressful one. Our ward here is so great but so large (185 attend sacrament) that sometimes I just feel so overwhelmed with so many people and faces to remember. But I will get it down. Our ward is having "Rescue the One Mission Week" right now where we meet up with ward members and invite the Less-Actives to come to church this Sunday for a "Grand Reunion" after the meetings. So we have stayed busy this week and have met lots of new less-actives.
My favorite part of the city is that we are so close to the temple. Every Thursday they have temple tours where people come and the missionaries show a video about temples and give tours of the temple grounds. It is so great! Plus we have District Meeting every Monday at the chapel so I just feel that we are there ALL of the time. So yes there are perks to being assigned in the city. I also get to see President and Sister Schmutz every once in a while which always makes me happier :)
Things are still moving along here. I'm doing my best to teach my companion the language and all of that fun stuff. We have met lots of people to teach here and the people in the city are much more receptive to the gospel than my first two areas. You'd think it'd be opposite. I'm enjoying our work here.
I have started studying the New Testament this past week and I am loving it!! Today I read the parable about the 10 Virgins. I love this parable because that is the parable we shared with Brother Wilson Ganigan the day he FINALLY decided to be baptized. It is so applicable to our day. We need to be adding oil- drop by drop- into our lamps all of the time. We can do this by going to church each Sunday, praying, preparing physically, and by reading the scriptures. Here on my mission I have learned the importance of reading the scriptures every day. If we read, we will pray. If we read, we will go to church. If we read, we will remember our covenants. If we read, we will remember the commandments. And just like Nephi promises, if we hearken to the Lord and read, we will receive eternal life. I hope that when I get home I am a more diligent studier of the scriptures. They have so much to teach us! Set apart time to read and study. Don't just quickly read. Read with your heart!
I love my mission so much and I am so grateful for the opportunities I have here in the mission. I know the gospel and church of Jesus Christ are so true! I hope that all is well back home and that you are all healthy and happy. Missions are Miracles :)
Love
Sister Trayner
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Baho
So yes, the subject line of my email is the word "baho" which means "bad smell" in Visaya. Why did I chose this word you may ask? Because....my nose has never smelled so many disgusting smells in my life until I was transferred here to the city!
This week was a good one although it was pretty stressful. I am just trying to keep everything going while trying to balance everything! It's quite the task! We haven't had a ton of support from the ward or from the other sisters yet which has been hard. But things will get better and we will eventually learn the area. Sometimes I feel like I just went through all of this and then I remember, oh yeah I did...just last transfer! But it will get better. I know that.
Our ward is actually super functional. It's amazing! So it's nice to know all we have to do is focus on the missionary work and not have to worry about fixing or helping the leaders. They have a grand reunion planned for the 30th of this month where they want their attendance at Sacrament to go up by 50 more people. It sounds crazy but I know it is possible with the ward and the leadership here.
It's fun to live in a house with another companionship: Sister Ta and Sister T. It also has its challenges but so far I am enjoying it. Sister Ta was also trained by my 2nd trainer, Sister B, and Sister B was trained here in Mabolo! So it's always fun to talk to people about her. My companion is still pretty homesick and it has been hard for her to adjust to the mission life. So please, keep her in your prayers.
I also received some bad news about my last companion Sister S who went home last transfer. She has had THE most tragic life and we found out that her grandma died, her niece died, and her sister committed suicide in the time she has been home. I am just in shock. I love her so much and I worry about her all of the time. SO please, keep her in your prayers as well.
Anyway, I know the gospel is true! I love being a missionary and teaching people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is so evident that the gospel is true. There is such a difference in the lives of those who live the complete gospel of Jesus Christ from those who don't! It's amazing. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to serve a mission for my Savior Jesus Christ. I miss you all but I am staying busy enough that it takes the sting away :) Thanks for all of your love and support!
Love
Sister Trayner
This week was a good one although it was pretty stressful. I am just trying to keep everything going while trying to balance everything! It's quite the task! We haven't had a ton of support from the ward or from the other sisters yet which has been hard. But things will get better and we will eventually learn the area. Sometimes I feel like I just went through all of this and then I remember, oh yeah I did...just last transfer! But it will get better. I know that.
Our ward is actually super functional. It's amazing! So it's nice to know all we have to do is focus on the missionary work and not have to worry about fixing or helping the leaders. They have a grand reunion planned for the 30th of this month where they want their attendance at Sacrament to go up by 50 more people. It sounds crazy but I know it is possible with the ward and the leadership here.
It's fun to live in a house with another companionship: Sister Ta and Sister T. It also has its challenges but so far I am enjoying it. Sister Ta was also trained by my 2nd trainer, Sister B, and Sister B was trained here in Mabolo! So it's always fun to talk to people about her. My companion is still pretty homesick and it has been hard for her to adjust to the mission life. So please, keep her in your prayers.
I also received some bad news about my last companion Sister S who went home last transfer. She has had THE most tragic life and we found out that her grandma died, her niece died, and her sister committed suicide in the time she has been home. I am just in shock. I love her so much and I worry about her all of the time. SO please, keep her in your prayers as well.
Anyway, I know the gospel is true! I love being a missionary and teaching people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is so evident that the gospel is true. There is such a difference in the lives of those who live the complete gospel of Jesus Christ from those who don't! It's amazing. I am so grateful to have this opportunity to serve a mission for my Savior Jesus Christ. I miss you all but I am staying busy enough that it takes the sting away :) Thanks for all of your love and support!
Love
Sister Trayner
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
City girl na ko.
FAMILY!!!
Okay I just want to start out by telling you that I have seen more people in the last 2 days than I ever saw in 7 weeks in Bohol!! The city is a CRAZY place!! We left Monday morning from Bohol (yes, I was SO sad) then we waited for an hour for to the APs to come pick us up at the dock but after waiting for an hour we took a taxi to the temple and we started our craziness here in the city.
My new area is in the heart of Cebu City. We are living with 2 other sisters who are also assigned in our ward. The ward is really big and I am so EXCITED to work, work, work. They are splitting the missionary work in the Mabolo Ward into 2 so in all there are 4 sisters assigned here. For the next couple of weeks we will be going on splits with them so we can learn the area...I am so glad they are here to help. I am still tired from opening my last area!! The area is crazy. As I said there are SOOO many people. It's like being back in China again. The people here are SUPER poor. We have 2 of the biggest malls in Cebu in our area....haha, don't worry, it's all too expensive.
I love my companion and I admire her strength. Her visaya is coming along great. I feel so humbled that I was the one chosen to train her. Keep praying for us! That she will understand my teaching her the language and that she'll be able to speak in no time. My voice has taken a toll this week with me doing all of the talking and conversing but I know with the Lord's help she'll be a visaya machine any time.
I'm not sure what else to update on but that I am so happy here on my mission. I have learned so many things I never thought I would! I am very sad to not be in Bohol anymore but I know the Lord is involved in everything. I also just heard that the sisters in my first area, Balamban, have been pulled out!! That is so sad. Someone broke into their apartment. I guess I am just cursed. Wherever I am assigned will be closed, haha.
I love you all and thank you for your support and kindness! You are all the best!!!!
Love
Nicole
Okay I just want to start out by telling you that I have seen more people in the last 2 days than I ever saw in 7 weeks in Bohol!! The city is a CRAZY place!! We left Monday morning from Bohol (yes, I was SO sad) then we waited for an hour for to the APs to come pick us up at the dock but after waiting for an hour we took a taxi to the temple and we started our craziness here in the city.
My new area is in the heart of Cebu City. We are living with 2 other sisters who are also assigned in our ward. The ward is really big and I am so EXCITED to work, work, work. They are splitting the missionary work in the Mabolo Ward into 2 so in all there are 4 sisters assigned here. For the next couple of weeks we will be going on splits with them so we can learn the area...I am so glad they are here to help. I am still tired from opening my last area!! The area is crazy. As I said there are SOOO many people. It's like being back in China again. The people here are SUPER poor. We have 2 of the biggest malls in Cebu in our area....haha, don't worry, it's all too expensive.
I love my companion and I admire her strength. Her visaya is coming along great. I feel so humbled that I was the one chosen to train her. Keep praying for us! That she will understand my teaching her the language and that she'll be able to speak in no time. My voice has taken a toll this week with me doing all of the talking and conversing but I know with the Lord's help she'll be a visaya machine any time.
I'm not sure what else to update on but that I am so happy here on my mission. I have learned so many things I never thought I would! I am very sad to not be in Bohol anymore but I know the Lord is involved in everything. I also just heard that the sisters in my first area, Balamban, have been pulled out!! That is so sad. Someone broke into their apartment. I guess I am just cursed. Wherever I am assigned will be closed, haha.
I love you all and thank you for your support and kindness! You are all the best!!!!
Love
Nicole
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Wala na ang manok!! The chicken is no longer!!!
Oh my family, I am so excited to be writing to you!! I have so many things to update you all on.
Last Thursday I left for Cebu and hung out with elders for 6 hours before they dropped me off at a sister's apartment...it was kind of weird but kind of fun! I traveled with 2 elders on the boat and then APs picked us up...and they had some visits to make so I just went along. I forgot how much fun 20 year old boys have...especially when driving large vans in the crazy Philippines.
So my new companion is Sister P....from INDIA!! Isn't that so cool? Yes, I think it is. This is the coolest story: So 2 transfers ago I was talking to Sister Schmutz and she told me that an Indian sister was coming and I just felt the Holy Ghost tell me, "you are going to train her." So I have actually had that idea in the back of my head for the past 2 transfers. it's the craziest thing! And every time I slacked off in Language Study, I always felt so bad because I knew I really needed to prepare. So when I got to Cebu the APs told me they thought I was going to train the Tagalog speaker so I started to believe them...anyway we went to the matching meeting and of course...I am training the Indian sister. So you may be asking why did the Spirit always encourage me to be diligent in my language study? Because Sister P has had ZERO language training. They send the Indian sisters straight to Manila and they don't get any kind of language study or training. So yes, I, Sister Trayner, who has not yet been in the field for 6 months is TEACHING a crazy jungle language to my companion!
So far it has been a good experience. I am trying to get her as involved as possible in everything, including teaching. Although most of them don't understand what she is saying I know they can feel the Holy Ghost. She has a tall mountain to climb...but I know she can do it....and I am the one who has to keep her going! She was in a bit of culture shock when she got here- Sister, do we have hot water? no. Sister, do we have a washing machine? ummm...no. "Sister, can we ask President to get us some kind of transportation here?" umm...you can ask, haha. So yes...she is getting accustomed to it all...and it turns out the Philippines is different from India...haha, crazy in two different ways from what I've heard.
Also, President Schumtz called yesterday. You know I thought if I was going to transfer I'd be transferring on Transfer Day. Not a week later. But turns out next Monday Sister P and I will BOTH be transferring to Cebu City (Mabolo ward)....because President feels that it will be better for her to be trained there and also our area here in Bohol is super crazy and we've had a really hard time since we can't get to some of our areas due to the fact that sisters can't ride motorcycles. Yes, I am very sad. I LOVE BOHOL so much. A little bit of me is disappointed. Last transfer due to some problems that my companion had we weren't able to work as hard as I had wanted to so I was really looking forward to getting to work here. But...we are being pulled out.
I am going to miss Bohol SOOOO much! Oh I just have this fear that I will be stuck on Cebu the rest of my mission....and I just love this island so much. So please pray for me that I can make the adjustment!
Anyway things are going great here. It's just sad we are leaving. But I know that Mabolo will be a better place for Sister P to be trained and there are people there we will be able to teach and help.I just pray I get assigned again here in Bohol....(haha, see I just can't get over it) Thanks for your emails! Y'all are just the bomb-diggity....I have the BEST family ever. Keep those emails and pictures coming!!!
Love
Nicole
Last Thursday I left for Cebu and hung out with elders for 6 hours before they dropped me off at a sister's apartment...it was kind of weird but kind of fun! I traveled with 2 elders on the boat and then APs picked us up...and they had some visits to make so I just went along. I forgot how much fun 20 year old boys have...especially when driving large vans in the crazy Philippines.
So my new companion is Sister P....from INDIA!! Isn't that so cool? Yes, I think it is. This is the coolest story: So 2 transfers ago I was talking to Sister Schmutz and she told me that an Indian sister was coming and I just felt the Holy Ghost tell me, "you are going to train her." So I have actually had that idea in the back of my head for the past 2 transfers. it's the craziest thing! And every time I slacked off in Language Study, I always felt so bad because I knew I really needed to prepare. So when I got to Cebu the APs told me they thought I was going to train the Tagalog speaker so I started to believe them...anyway we went to the matching meeting and of course...I am training the Indian sister. So you may be asking why did the Spirit always encourage me to be diligent in my language study? Because Sister P has had ZERO language training. They send the Indian sisters straight to Manila and they don't get any kind of language study or training. So yes, I, Sister Trayner, who has not yet been in the field for 6 months is TEACHING a crazy jungle language to my companion!
So far it has been a good experience. I am trying to get her as involved as possible in everything, including teaching. Although most of them don't understand what she is saying I know they can feel the Holy Ghost. She has a tall mountain to climb...but I know she can do it....and I am the one who has to keep her going! She was in a bit of culture shock when she got here- Sister, do we have hot water? no. Sister, do we have a washing machine? ummm...no. "Sister, can we ask President to get us some kind of transportation here?" umm...you can ask, haha. So yes...she is getting accustomed to it all...and it turns out the Philippines is different from India...haha, crazy in two different ways from what I've heard.
Also, President Schumtz called yesterday. You know I thought if I was going to transfer I'd be transferring on Transfer Day. Not a week later. But turns out next Monday Sister P and I will BOTH be transferring to Cebu City (Mabolo ward)....because President feels that it will be better for her to be trained there and also our area here in Bohol is super crazy and we've had a really hard time since we can't get to some of our areas due to the fact that sisters can't ride motorcycles. Yes, I am very sad. I LOVE BOHOL so much. A little bit of me is disappointed. Last transfer due to some problems that my companion had we weren't able to work as hard as I had wanted to so I was really looking forward to getting to work here. But...we are being pulled out.
I am going to miss Bohol SOOOO much! Oh I just have this fear that I will be stuck on Cebu the rest of my mission....and I just love this island so much. So please pray for me that I can make the adjustment!
Anyway things are going great here. It's just sad we are leaving. But I know that Mabolo will be a better place for Sister P to be trained and there are people there we will be able to teach and help.I just pray I get assigned again here in Bohol....(haha, see I just can't get over it) Thanks for your emails! Y'all are just the bomb-diggity....I have the BEST family ever. Keep those emails and pictures coming!!!
Love
Nicole
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